Ask Difference

Noise vs. Sound — What's the Difference?

By Tayyaba Rehman — Updated on September 15, 2023
Noise is an undesirable or disruptive sound. Sound refers to vibrations that travel through the air or another medium and can be heard when they reach a person's ear.
Noise vs. Sound — What's the Difference?

Difference Between Noise and Sound

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Key Differences

Noise and sound, though commonly interchanged, possess distinct nuances in meaning. Sound is a neutral term, broadly encompassing anything that stimulates the auditory senses. Every audible vibration, from a melodious song to a blaring horn, can be termed sound.
Noise, in contrast, generally signifies sounds that are unpleasant or disruptive. It embodies undesired auditory sensations that might result from various sources, be it heavy machinery or loud conversations. So, while all noises are sounds, not all sounds are noises.
Furthermore, the distinction between noise and sound often rests on individual perception. A piece of music that feels soothing to one person might come off as mere noise to another. This relativity hints at the inherent subjectivity in distinguishing between the two terms.
Another angle to view this distinction is from a technical perspective. In acoustics or audio engineering, sound is understood as the sum of audio frequencies produced by vibrating objects. Noise, in such contexts, may denote random, unpredictable, and undesirable fluctuations in a signal. Yet, in everyday parlance, noise stands as any unwanted or bothersome sound.
In essence, while sound acts as an umbrella term for all auditory phenomena, noise is a subset, signifying those sounds perceived as intrusive or bothersome.
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Comparison Chart

Definition

Undesired or disruptive auditory sensations.
Vibrations heard as a result of traveling through a medium.

Connotation

Typically has a negative implication.
Neutral term encompassing all auditory phenomena.

Example

Loud traffic, machinery buzz.
Melodies, spoken words, natural sounds.

Subjectivity

Can be relative based on individual perception.
More objective, denoting any audible vibration.

Technical Context

Represents random, unwanted fluctuations in audio signals.
Totality of audio frequencies produced by vibrating objects.

Compare with Definitions

Noise

Unwanted or disturbing sound.
The noise from the construction site disrupted my concentration.

Sound

Vibrations perceived by the ear.
The sound of the ocean waves was calming.

Noise

Sounds that are loud, jarring, or chaotic.
The city's noise kept me awake at night.

Sound

The particular auditory effect produced by an entity.
The sound of her laughter was infectious.

Noise

Random fluctuations that can interfere with signals.
The radio had too much noise to clearly hear the broadcast.

Sound

A distinctive noise or tone.
The sound of the rain against the window was soothing.

Noise

Auditory disturbances caused by specific sources.
The noise of the party next door went on till midnight.

Sound

A noise, whether harmonious or not.
The forest was alive with the sounds of nature.

Noise

Disruptive sounds that can cause annoyance.
The constant noise of the alarm was irritating.

Sound

In physics, sound is a vibration that propagates as an acoustic wave, through a transmission medium such as a gas, liquid or solid. In human physiology and psychology, sound is the reception of such waves and their perception by the brain.

Noise

Noise is unwanted sound considered unpleasant, loud or disruptive to hearing. From a physics standpoint, noise is indistinguishable from desired sound, as both are vibrations through a medium, such as air or water.

Sound

Vibrations transmitted through an elastic solid or a liquid or gas, with frequencies in the approximate range of 20 to 20,000 hertz, capable of being detected by human organs of hearing.

Noise

A sound, especially one that is loud or unpleasant or that causes disturbance
Making a noise like a pig
What's that rustling noise outside the door?

Sound

Transmitted vibrations of any frequency.

Noise

Irregular fluctuations that accompany a transmitted electrical signal but are not part of it and tend to obscure it
The enhancer can improve the video signal quality, reducing noise and increasing image sharpness

Sound

The sensation stimulated in the organs of hearing by such vibrations in the air or other medium.

Noise

Talk about or make known publicly
You've discovered something that should not be noised about

Sound

Such sensations considered as a group.

Noise

Make much noise
Rook, crow and jackdaw—noising loud

Sound

A distinctive noise
A hollow sound.

Noise

Sound or a sound that is loud, unpleasant, unexpected, or undesired.

Sound

The distance over which something can be heard
Within sound of my voice.

Noise

Sound or a sound of any kind
The only noise was the wind in the pines.

Sound

An articulation made by the vocal apparatus
A vowel sound.

Noise

A loud outcry or commotion
The noise of the mob.
A lot of noise over the new law.

Sound

The distinctive character of such an articulation
The words bear and bare have the same sound.

Noise

(Physics) A disturbance, especially a random and persistent disturbance, that obscures or reduces the clarity of a signal.

Sound

A mental impression; an implication
Didn't like the sound of the invitation.

Noise

(Computers) Irrelevant or meaningless data.

Sound

Auditory material that is recorded, as for a movie.

Noise

A complaint or protest.

Sound

Meaningless noise.

Noise

Rumor; talk.

Sound

(Music) A distinctive style, as of an orchestra or singer.

Noise

Noises Remarks or actions intended to convey a specific impression or to attract attention
"The U.S. is making appropriately friendly noises to the new Socialist Government" (Flora Lewis).

Sound

(Archaic) Rumor; report.

Noise

To spread the rumor or report of.

Sound

A long, relatively wide body of water, larger than a strait or a channel, connecting larger bodies of water.

Noise

(uncountable) Various sounds, usually unwanted or unpleasant.
He knew that it was trash day, when the garbage collectors made all the noise.

Sound

A long, wide ocean inlet.

Noise

Any sound.
The sudden noise made everyone jump.
She crept up behind him not making a noise.

Sound

(Archaic) The swim bladder of a fish.

Noise

Sound or signal generated by random fluctuations.

Sound

An instrument used to examine or explore body cavities, as for foreign bodies or other abnormalities, or to dilate strictures in them.

Noise

(technology) Any part of a signal or data that reduces the clarity, precision, or quality of the desired output.
Signal-to-noise ratio

Sound

To make or give forth a sound
The siren sounded.

Noise

Unwanted fuss or bustle; useless activity.

Sound

To be given forth as a sound
The fanfare sounded.

Noise

(genetics) The measured level of variation in gene expression among cells, regardless of source, within a supposedly identical population.

Sound

To present a particular impression
That argument sounds reasonable.

Noise

Rumour or complaint.
The problems with the new computer system are causing a lot of noise at Head Office.

Sound

To cause to give forth or produce a sound
Sounded the gong.

Noise

(informal) Speech that is suggestive of an attitude or opinion.

Sound

To summon, announce, or signal by a sound
Sound a warning.

Noise

(obsolete) Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band.

Sound

(Linguistics) To articulate; pronounce
Sound a vowel.

Noise

(music) A genre of rock music that uses static and other non-musical sounds, also influenced by art rock.

Sound

To make known; celebrate
"Nations unborn your mighty names shall sound" (Alexander Pope).

Noise

(intransitive) To make a noise; to sound.

Sound

To examine (a body organ or part) by causing to emit sound; auscultate.

Noise

(transitive) To spread news of; to spread as rumor or gossip.

Sound

To measure the depth of (water), especially by means of a weighted line; fathom.

Noise

Sound of any kind.
The heavens turn about in a most rapid motion without noiseto us perceived.

Sound

To try to learn the attitudes or opinions of
Sounded out her feelings.

Noise

Especially, loud, confused, or senseless sound; clamor; din.

Sound

To probe (a body cavity) with a sound.

Noise

Loud or continuous talk; general talk or discussion; rumor; report.
What noise have we had about transplantation of diseases and transfusion of blood!
Socrates lived in Athens during the great plague which has made so much noise in all ages.

Sound

To measure depth.

Noise

Music, in general; a concert; also, a company of musicians; a band.
The king has his noise of gypsies.

Sound

To dive swiftly downward. Used of a marine mammal or a fish.

Noise

To sound; to make a noise.

Sound

To look into a possibility; investigate.

Noise

To spread by rumor or report.
All these sayings were noised abroad.

Sound

Free from defect, decay, or damage; in good condition
Is the bridge sound?.

Noise

To disturb with noise.

Sound

Free from disease or injury.

Noise

Sound of any kind (especially unintelligible or dissonant sound);
He enjoyed the street noises
They heard indistinct noises of people talking
During the firework display that ended the gala the noise reached 98 decibels

Sound

Marked by or showing common sense and good judgment; levelheaded
A sound approach to the problem.

Noise

The auditory experience of sound that lacks musical quality; sound that is a disagreeable auditory experience;
Modern music is just noise to me

Sound

Based on valid reasoning; having no logical flaws
A sound conclusion.
Sound reasoning.

Noise

Electrical or acoustic activity that can disturb communication

Sound

(Logic) Of or relating to an argument in which all the premises are true and the conclusion follows from the premises.

Noise

A loud outcry of protest or complaint;
The announcement of the election recount caused a lot of noise
Whatever it was he didn't like it and he was going to let them know by making as loud a noise as he could

Sound

Secure or stable
A partnership that started on a sound footing.

Noise

Incomprehensibility resulting from irrelevant information or meaningless facts or remarks;
All the noise in his speech concealed the fact that he didn't have anything to say

Sound

Financially secure or safe
A sound economy.

Noise

The quality of lacking any predictable order or plan

Sound

Thorough; complete
Gave their rivals a sound thrashing.

Noise

Emit a noise

Sound

Deep and unbroken; undisturbed
A sound sleep.

Sound

Compatible with an accepted point of view; orthodox
Sound doctrine.

Sound

Thoroughly; deeply
Sound asleep.

Sound

Healthy.
He was safe and sound.
In horse management a sound horse is one with no health problems that might affect its suitability for its intended work.

Sound

Complete, solid, or secure.
Fred assured me the floorboards were sound.

Sound

Having the property of soundness.

Sound

Good; acceptable; decent.
How are you? —I'm sound.
That's a sound track you're playing.
See that man over there? He's sound. You should get to know him.

Sound

(of sleep) Quiet and deep.
Sound asleep means sleeping peacefully, and often deeply.
Her sleep was sound.

Sound

Heavy; laid on with force.
A sound beating

Sound

Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective.
A sound title to land

Sound

Soundly.

Sound

Yes; used to show agreement or understanding, generally without much enthusiasm.
I found my jacket. — Sound.

Sound

A sensation perceived by the ear caused by the vibration of air or some other medium.
He turned when he heard the sound of footsteps behind him.
Nobody made a sound.

Sound

A vibration capable of causing such sensations.

Sound

(music) A distinctive style and sonority of a particular musician, orchestra, &.

Sound

Noise without meaning; empty noise.

Sound

, distance within which a certain noise may be heard.
Stay within the sound of my voice.

Sound

(phonetics) A segment as a part of spoken language, the smallest unit of spoken language, a speech sound.

Sound

A long narrow inlet, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean.
Puget Sound; Owen Sound; Long Island Sound

Sound

The air bladder of a fish.
Cod sounds are an esteemed article of food.

Sound

A long, thin probe for sounding or dilating body cavities or canals such as the urethra; a sonde.

Sound

(intransitive) To produce a sound.
When the horn sounds, take cover.

Sound

(copulative) To convey an impression by one's sound.
He sounded good when we last spoke.
That story sounds like a pack of lies!

Sound

(intransitive) To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound.

Sound

To resound.

Sound

To arise or to be recognizable as arising in or from a particular area of law, or as likely to result in a particular kind of legal remedy.
In my opinion this claim sounds in damages rather than in an injunction.

Sound

(transitive) To cause to produce a sound.
Sound the alarm!
He sounds the instrument.

Sound

To pronounce.
The "e" in "house" isn't sounded.

Sound

(intransitive) Dive downwards, used of a whale.
The whale sounded and eight hundred feet of heavy line streaked out of the line tub before he ended his dive.

Sound

To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe.
When I sounded him, he appeared to favor the proposed deal.

Sound

Test; ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device.
Mariners on sailing ships would sound the depth of the water with a weighted rope.

Sound

(medicine) To examine with the instrument called a sound or sonde, or by auscultation or percussion.
To sound a patient, or the bladder or urethra

Sound

The air bladder of a fish; as, cod sounds are an esteemed article of food.

Sound

A cuttlefish.

Sound

A narrow passage of water, or a strait between the mainland and an island; also, a strait connecting two seas, or connecting a sea or lake with the ocean; as, the Sound between the Baltic and the german Ocean; Long Island Sound.
The Sound of Denmark, where ships pay toll.

Sound

Any elongated instrument or probe, usually metallic, by which cavities of the body are sounded or explored, especially the bladder for stone, or the urethra for a stricture.

Sound

The peceived object occasioned by the impulse or vibration of a material substance affecting the ear; a sensation or perception of the mind received through the ear, and produced by the impulse or vibration of the air or other medium with which the ear is in contact; the effect of an impression made on the organs of hearing by an impulse or vibration of the air caused by a collision of bodies, or by other means; noise; report; as, the sound of a drum; the sound of the human voice; a horrid sound; a charming sound; a sharp, high, or shrill sound.
The warlike soundOf trumpets loud and clarions.

Sound

The occasion of sound; the impulse or vibration which would occasion sound to a percipient if present with unimpaired; hence, the theory of vibrations in elastic media such cause sound; as, a treatise on sound.

Sound

Noise without signification; empty noise; noise and nothing else.
Sense and not sound . . . must be the principle.

Sound

Whole; unbroken; unharmed; free from flaw, defect, or decay; perfect of the kind; as, sound timber; sound fruit; a sound tooth; a sound ship.

Sound

Healthy; not diseased; not being in a morbid state; - said of body or mind; as, a sound body; a sound constitution; a sound understanding.

Sound

Firm; strong; safe.
The brasswork here, how rich it is in beams,And how, besides, it makes the whole house sound.

Sound

Free from error; correct; right; honest; true; faithful; orthodox; - said of persons; as, a sound lawyer; a sound thinker.
Do not I know you a favorerOf this new seat? Ye are nor sound.

Sound

Founded in truth or right; supported by justice; not to be overthrown on refuted; not fallacious; as, sound argument or reasoning; a sound objection; sound doctrine; sound principles.
Hold fast the form of sound words, which thou hast heard of me.

Sound

Heavy; laid on with force; as, a sound beating.

Sound

Undisturbed; deep; profound; as, sound sleep.

Sound

Founded in law; legal; valid; not defective; as, a sound title to land.

Sound

Soundly.
So sound he slept that naught might him awake.

Sound

To measure the depth of; to fathom; especially, to ascertain the depth of by means of a line and plummet.

Sound

Fig.: To ascertain, or try to ascertain, the thoughts, motives, and purposes of (a person); to examine; to try; to test; to probe.
I was in jest,And by that offer meant to sound your breast.
I've sounded my Numidians man by man.

Sound

To explore, as the bladder or urethra, with a sound; to examine with a sound; also, to examine by auscultation or percussion; as, to sound a patient.

Sound

To ascertain the depth of water with a sounding line or other device.
I sound as a shipman soundeth in the sea with his plummet to know the depth of sea.

Sound

To make a noise; to utter a voice; to make an impulse of the air that shall strike the organs of hearing with a perceptible effect.
How silver-sweet sound lovers' tongues!

Sound

To be conveyed in sound; to be spread or published; to convey intelligence by sound.
From you sounded out the word of the Lord.

Sound

To make or convey a certain impression, or to have a certain import, when heard; hence, to seem; to appear; as, this reproof sounds harsh; the story sounds like an invention.
Good sir, why do you start, and seem to fearThings that do sound so fair?
Soun[d]ing in moral virtue was his speech.

Sound

To cause to make a noise; to play on; as, to sound a trumpet or a horn; to sound an alarm.
A bagpipe well could he play and soun[d].

Sound

To cause to exit as a sound; as, to sound a note with the voice, or on an instrument.

Sound

To order, direct, indicate, or proclain by a sound, or sounds; to give a signal for by a certain sound; as, to sound a retreat; to sound a parley.
The clock sounded the hour of noon.

Sound

To celebrate or honor by sounds; to cause to be reported; to publish or proclaim; as, to sound the praises of fame of a great man or a great exploit.

Sound

To examine the condition of (anything) by causing the same to emit sounds and noting their character; as, to sound a piece of timber; to sound a vase; to sound the lungs of a patient.

Sound

To signify; to import; to denote.
Soun[d]ing alway the increase of his winning.

Sound

The particular auditory effect produced by a given cause;
The sound of rain on the roof
The beautiful sound of music

Sound

The subjective sensation of hearing something;
He strained to hear the faint sounds

Sound

Mechanical vibrations transmitted by an elastic medium;
Falling trees make a sound in the forest even when no one is there to hear them

Sound

The sudden occurrence of an audible event;
The sound awakened them

Sound

The audible part of a transmitted signal;
They always raise the audio for commercials

Sound

(phonetics) an individual sound unit of speech without concern as to whether or not it is a phoneme of some language

Sound

A narrow channel of the sea joining two larger bodies of water

Sound

A large ocean inlet or deep bay;
The main body of the sound ran parallel to the coast

Sound

Appear in a certain way;
This sounds interesting

Sound

Make a certain noise or sound;
She went `Mmmmm'
The gun went `bang'

Sound

Give off a certain sound or sounds;
This record sounds scratchy

Sound

Announce by means of a sound;
Sound the alarm

Sound

Utter with vibrating vocal chords

Sound

Cause to sound;
Sound the bell
Sound a certain note

Sound

Measure the depth of (a body of water) with a sounding line

Sound

Financially secure and safe;
Sound investments
A sound economy

Sound

Exercising or showing good judgment;
Healthy scepticism
A healthy fear of rattlesnakes
The healthy attitude of French laws
Healthy relations between labor and management
An intelligent solution
A sound approach to the problem
Sound advice
No sound explanation for his decision

Sound

In good condition; free from defect or damage or decay;
A sound timber
The wall is sound
A sound foundation

Sound

In excellent physical condition;
Good teeth
I still have one good leg
A sound mind in a sound body

Sound

Reflects weight of sound argument or evidence;
A sound argument

Sound

Having legal efficacy or force;
A sound title to the property

Sound

Free from moral defect;
A man of sound character

Sound

(of sleep) deep and complete;
A heavy sleep
Fell into a profound sleep
A sound sleeper
Deep wakeless sleep

Sound

Thorough;
A sound thrashing

Sound

Deeply or completely;
Slept soundly through the storm
Is sound asleep

Sound

An auditory sensation produced by oscillations.
The sound of the violin filled the room.

Common Curiosities

How is noise typically perceived?

Noise is often perceived as unwanted or disruptive sound.

What creates sound?

Sound is produced by the vibration of objects, creating waves in a medium.

Can something be sound to one person and noise to another?

Yes, perceptions can vary; what's melodious to one might be noise to another.

Are sounds only audible?

No, there are sounds beyond human hearing range, like ultrasonic or infrasonic sounds.

Is white noise a type of sound or noise?

White noise is a type of sound with equal intensity across all frequencies, often used to mask other sounds.

Why is noise control important in urban areas?

To ensure the well-being of residents and prevent health issues from chronic noise exposure.

Is all sound considered noise?

No, while all noise is sound, not all sounds are considered noise.

Are there regulations for noise in public spaces?

Yes, most cities have noise ordinances to maintain a peaceful environment.

How do headphones contribute to noise pollution?

They often don't; in fact, noise-canceling headphones can reduce ambient noise.

Can certain sounds be both music and noise?

Yes, it's subjective; one person's music might be another person's noise.

How do we measure sound?

Sound is measured in decibels (dB) using a sound level meter.

How does noise impact health?

Chronic exposure to noise can lead to stress, sleep disturbances, and even hearing loss.

Can sounds be beneficial?

Absolutely, sounds like music or nature can relax, entertain, or even heal.

Why do some sounds become noise over time?

Repetition or increased volume can cause once-pleasant sounds to be perceived as noise.

How do animals perceive noise and sound?

Animals have varied hearing ranges and can perceive sounds differently, with some noises causing them distress.

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Author Spotlight

Written by
Tayyaba Rehman
Tayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.

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